Ukrainian cargo ship sunk off Bulgarian coast: all ten Ukrainian sailors rescued
An extraordinary maritime incident occurred in the Black Sea near the Bulgarian coast, reflecting the ongoing military and geopolitical tensions in the region.
A Ukrainian-flagged cargo vessel, owned by a Ukrainian company, experienced a hull breach and sank on October 12, approximately 140 nautical miles east of Varna.
According to Bulgarian rescue authorities, all ten Ukrainian sailors onboard the vessel EILEEN were rescued after the ship sent a distress signal around 1:00 p.m.
indicating a breach in its hull and rapid flooding.
Thanks to coordinated efforts involving Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey, all crew members were safely evacuated.
Search and rescue operations included Bulgarian border patrol boats, Romanian ships, a Turkish support vessel, and a helicopter from the Bulgarian Navy.
The Turkish vessel MURAT ILHAN, which was near the Sakarya gas field, detected the two life rafts holding all the sailors, who were found alive and in satisfactory condition.
Preliminary reports suggest EILEEN was constructed over 30 years ago and was inspected multiple times in 2025, including an inspection in Izmail where various faults were identified.
Investigators are currently establishing the cause of the accident.
This incident follows a prior event in the Black Sea when a Turkish-flagged cargo vessel detonated on a mine, highlighting the region’s complex security situation and geopolitical instability.